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joonaslaine
Reviews
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Good adaptation of the book
It's hard to turn a well written mystery into a movie. This, I would say, does pretty good job at it. Lots of the elements are well put and modifications from the book are done well enough. Also the actors are good and pretty much many of the best have been gathered for this. Towards the end, it gets harder for the movie to keep the excitement up to par like the movie does and the ending takes a bit away from the movie by being so oddly put.
Nice movie, good murder mystery with the comedy value of Hercule Poirot.
Wonder Woman (2017)
Woman Tarzan meets Pocahontas
I'm not quite sure if I liked this movie or not. It had good elements and it was nice to have the hero be portrait by a woman. Still it felt pretty much like just another superhero movie. Different setup and new characters, but still it was hero learning to be just a normal person and yet having all the burden of saving the world. Wonder woman's sidekicks bring nice addition to the movie and Wonder woman is well depicted. I just didn't get anything more from this than just a regular good superhero movie.
Red Sparrow (2018)
Not just a pretty face
Jennifer Lawrence was pretty much the sole reason I decided to watch this film. At the end I was glad to have picked this one and not just for Jennifer Lawrence. One could say that the plot is predictable and all schemes are pointless, but I still found it entertaining. I wasn't sure until the end of the movie, how everything would end even though it did end up being as I would have predicted. The depiction of Russia might have been bit overboard, but so what.
Good entertainment for me, nice to watch Jennifer's film, won't be remembering this one for too long. Also I liked the theme behind the movie and showing what was the purpose of the main character all along.
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Funny movie in all of it's stupidity
Not too much to say about this movie. Two guys going on a pointless movie end up in all possible situations during their quest for white castle. Everything is pointless, doesn't fit anywhere and is super unrealistic. Yet the movie keeps you laughing almost all the time. Humor is clever even if it's used in thousand different movies and in the end it is a growing up story, kinda.
Had not seen this movie before so I thought it was about time. And no, this is not your top of the class artistically awesome movie. It's a movie that is supposed to keep you entertained for the night. In that, this delivers.
The Fighter (2010)
Great acting makes you forget the film's flaws
It is no wonder that Bale got an Oscar for his part as Dick Enlund. His adaptability and dedication to a role is unbelievable. He is easily the best part of this film. Mark Wahlberg Also fits great in to his role as the younger brother Micky. And the mother isn't bad either.
Otherwise the movie is mediocre. Nice twists and turns trough most of the film, but the ending falls flat. Until then the movie is a back and forth battle of doing the right thing and falling back to old habits. Ending is just being happy ever after and all being a big happy family all of a sudden. Nice movie to watch, but nothing special.
Free Solo (2018)
Stunning and realistic document
I very rarely watch documents but I had heard so much good about this so I had to watch it. Setting of the document is kinda basic, I would guess. A man on top of his class in what he does going after his dreams. Here is were the ordinary ends. The personal profile that is given from Alex is that his kind of a asberger, in a way that he has set his sights on one thing and this is what is important. If depicted differently Alex could be shown as a total idiot who doesn't care about others, but here it comes as his character, not as being hateful.
Drama to this film is build from his girlfriend and how she could have an affect on Alex's climbing career. At the end it is still Alex who does as he pleases, girlfriend or no.
Filming of the movie is great. Even knowing that this is a document, I was genuinely scared whether or not Andy would make it to the top of El Capitan. This kept me more excited though the whole movie than an average action film. Definitely worth watching.
No extra drama is built-in to the movie which is good. Just a man who has a unwavering desire for free solo climbing.
The Mechanic (2011)
Modern day's best SOB delivers
Have to say, every time I watch an action film with Jason Statham on it, I'm not disappointed and this is no exception. Action packed movie and a nice surprise that the plot was also exiting and surprising. Stathams character is exiting and for once a hitman character is consistent throughout the whole movie. Staying ruthless the whole movie is nice for a change. And even if some of parts of the movie is kinda predictable, it is hidden well.
A very well done action film that is not only a movie packed with explosions and bullets, but is also built well in between the action parts. This could honesty work even without all the cool effects, which are also well done.
Bangkok Dangerous (2008)
Nice reworked action movie
Pretty well working film even though there were quite few spots to improve. The idea behind the movie feels good, ending was well done and nic cage is entertaining. Bad parts are slow parts, that don't feel like they develop the movie anywhere, parts of the plot seem unfitting with the whole story and even though nic cage is always nic cage, this isn't his best performance. Bit more action and making the main love relationship more relevant would give more substance to this movie.
Even the way the movie is, it kept me mostly entertained and good ending gave it few extra points. would recommend for an easy movie to watch.
Supercon (2018)
Mainly under the waistline humor
Headline says pretty much everything that is necessary. Dick jokes here and there and a lazy plot to hold it together. 80s movie/TV stars past their prime try to rob a comic-con. Throw in an evil star that hates fans but brings money and the plot is pretty much covered. The heist is thrown in an ocean's eleven kind of way of throwing a few curve balls in a clever way, but the jokes get kinda annoying halfway through the film. It was watchable, but felt like it was just fastly put together. A current topic, with all the cons going around the world and few of them getting bad rep. If this was put together a bit better, this could have been good. Now it is left without anything special and will be forgotten before the year ends.
The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
Good bit of originality and good old stuff
The movie puts nicely the characteristics of the Batman we've seen in other movies and TV shows and creates an original story of Batman, but still keeping the Lego vibe and not putting Batman as the sole carrying force of the movie. There was good bit of Lego movie stuff, like master-builder references and the same vibe. At the same time this is totally unrelated to the original one. Good bit of fun, clever story and gives more gossip about the Batman/Joker relationship. Also all the other villans was a fun addition and worked well in this sort of movie. Visuals were again excellent and voice acting was good.
A one to watch for sure. Creates good hype for the second Lego movie. Good entertainment and delivers what it promises. Not a classic, but gives an evening of entertainment.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
This one is for sci-fi fans, not for me
Maybe it was because I haven't seen the original one, but for me this felt bit hard to get focus at the start and the build up of replicants being so different of humans didn't catch to me. Human robots but not robots and so on. Also the movie was too low tempo for me.
The story itself gave me some Matrix vibes of the main character 'K' being build as the chosen one and shot down as not being the chosen one and still ending up saving everything and in a way being the chosen one. That was a hard sentence. But I really liked the story. Unfortunately there were parts that I would liked to be more centered like 'killing' of I'd Joi and K realizing it was all fake love. With the movie being as long as it is, some time could've been used for this sub-plot.
Overall I unfortunately got bored watching this so I guess this kinda style just isn't for me. I liked the plot and the theme and I have liked many movies with the same theme but this just didn't work for me. That's why the low score.
Despicable Me 3 (2017)
There's always minions
The film series has the feeling of getting a bit repetitive, but it still shines on time to time. Agnes always gives a laugh or two, Randy Marsh as an 80s teen star villain was a fun addition even though the actual character didn't give that much if you don't count the greatest 80s hit songs and shoulderpads. The series also has the ice age -theme of minions being more interesting than the actual plot. Series still gives entertainment but when looking despicable me 3 as an individual movie, it isn't that good. Given the strong hint of movie number 4 (5 if you count minions) at the end, I would be more than happy for it being the last one, if the main plot keeps being the same as the first three have been. Nice voice acting, nice jokes even for older audience, but the entirety does not give enough for me.
The Emoji Movie (2017)
How many cliches can there be?
"How bad could this movie be" was my feeling before watching this. And to be honest, pretty bad. Main idea of the movie seems to be hand jokes, name dropping different apps and references to basically any entertainment related things. Towards the end I was just trying to find all these references. It's like the movie tried to take the plot from wreck-it Ralph and Inside out, but fails miserably. Mix in some forced gender equality and you end up with a pretty bad movie. Best parts were cat video, poop emoji and few actually funny hand jokes. But too much is too much. I did watch the whole movie, so it wasn't all bad. Maybe if it wasn't just about the puns, the movie could've had it's moments. Now there really weren't.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Wonderful story of a weird relationship
An interesting story of being in the right place in the wrong time and creating an odd but yet so normal relationship. Perfect example of opposites attracting and friendships forming in a most peculiar way. Movie also shows how friendships/relationships don't form by force. Murray and Johansson play their roles well and are perfect suit of an imperfect couple. The tension between the two and Murray's character's imperfection brings more to the movie. This sort of story feel very lifelike and a one (without other person being a movie star) that could happen and in some sort of way has happened to many. And that makes the movie touching. Leaving the end open was in my opinion better than the two embracing each other and living happily ever after. Now the ending doesn't ruin the movie to half the audience, which either want the two to end up together or to stay as strange encounter in a foreign place. Maybe not a perfect movie because it kinda lack's content, but close enough for me. Also a good thing in the movie is that there isn't any forced plot twists and unnecessary sub-plots. A must see.
Babel (2006)
Artistic movie of 3 stories
This movie gave me the vibes of wanting to like the movie, but somehow I just couldn't quite get a hold of it. The storytelling of mixing timelines and stories in a blurry mess is in my opinion a really powerful effect, but in this movie, the stories weren't well enough bound together so the effect didn't work for me. Mixing timelines didn't feel necessary for the movie even though this difference is clearly brought up multiple times. Also jumping from story to another didn't give meaningful transitions before right at the end of the movie when all is tied together and stories are resolved. Also the ending wasn't as meaningful as it is revealed (or at least two of the three stories) pretty early in the movie and no more conclusion is done in the end. I really wanted to like the movie and I liked the way of telling the story, but the loose ties between stories and not really bringing the stories together pushed me bit off. Maybe a second viewing of the movie would make it better as I could focus more on the artistic side right from the start. For now, this will not be going to my top list.
Date Night (2010)
Nice ensemble of cast and good for hour's fun
This one is pretty much your average comedy movie that has lots of known actors who feel like their having fun on the set and laughing to themselves and to each other. Plot is used million times before and the movie doesn't feel like it wants to have a wholesome plot. It's more like funny parts tied up with a loose plot. Movie has it's funny moments and it works if you have an hour and a half to kill. Otherwise I would not suggest watching this if you are looking to spend your time efficiently. For Saturday's time killer it works well and it doesn't matter if you miss a moment or two. You'll still be able to jump back into it. Overall, nice cast, some funny moments but would not watch again.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
A true classic film
Took me a long time to see this movie, but finally decided to watch it and wasn't disappointed. Probably most movie fanatics know the movie so I won't focus on the movie that much, but the feeling of watching it. This one truly feels like a classic story with the storytelling, having a clear plot, but still keeping us on your toes on what is going to happen. It depicts in a real fashion on how life can be and not being boring at any point. Story guides on one direction, but every moment feels like it could turn to a different direction. Really great storytelling, creating the feeling of hopelessness, character build and classic plot from start to finish. I truly enjoyed watching this from start to finish, nothing felt superimposed.
The Death of Stalin (2017)
Dark parody about the fallen Soviet Union
A nice humoristic take on the state of the Soviet Union after WWII. The movie shows nicely the characteristics of the "unified" party of the CCCP which in it's union is constantly plotting against each other and trying to take power whenever possible. There really aren't any good or bad guys, just men going after power and using anybody in order to get it. Characteristics work without going completely over the top. The movie doesn't give an accurate view of the history, but it isn't the movie's job. It is a parody and as such does a good job in giving entertainment. Another view would surely give new viewpoints to the movie.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
A good adventure movie, but...
If this would be a standalone movie of a thief losing a loved one and trying to find a way back to her and in the way fighting all the difficulties, this would have been a great movie. I even liked that the origin story was quite different that I was expecting. Some homage was good for the movie but breaking canon in the end made the movie much worse for me. After reading more about where the series has gone, it fits with the new canon. Still for me, the ending took much away from the movie for me. Otherwise the movie would have gotten at least one more star. Some comical aspects also felt forced and the "Star Wars" theme had to be forced into the movie in some scenes. Some not so obvious references to other movies would have done the job just fine by themselves.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Visually powerful movie, but lacking content
Nice blockbuster movie and a good remake/reboot of the franchise. Maybe because of this the plot was not as intriguing as I had hoping for. Also some holes in the plot and cliffhanger ending lowered the experience for me. Also because of the cliffhanger this movie didn't feel like a standalone movie, but just a preparation for the next movie(s). This feeling is intensified for me because I know the franchise and at the time of me watching this film, sequals have already come out. Visually great movie, good CGI and I liked James Franco and there could have been more of him as this is only the rise of the apes and their origin. As Franco is their creator, this could have been focused more. Now the reasoning is left to being his I'll father. Visually great, but for me, the plot is too hollow. Nice way to spend Saturday evening, but no classic
The Accountant (2016)
Action packed movie with a plot
Good movie that forces viewer to pay attention to the movie from the get go. Movie builds the main character nicely from the start and gives the viewer all the things needed to understand the main character and yet keeps enough back in order to hide main twists regarding movie's plot. Towards the end action takes over more from the psychological side that is focused on the first half of the movie. Some plot twists in the end of the movie felt unnecessary and gave a feeling of making twists just for the fun of it and not to make a wholesome movie. Still even with these flaws, the entire movie felt like a strong one and kept me hooked from start to finish.